Snorkeller bitten by shark off Australian tourist hotspot

A man has been bitten by a shark while snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef.

He and two other men were swimming from a private vessel on the western side of Lady Elliot Island in Queensland when the attack took place around 8am.

He was bitten on the elbow and helped to shore by the other two men.

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They immediately alerted staff at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, who provided assistance.

The man who had been bitten was stabilised at the resort then airlifted to the Bundaberg Hospital.

The resort said he is believed to be in a stable condition.

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It is not currently known what species of shark was involved in the attack.

Snorkelling zones on Lady Elliot Island's western side have been closed and marine shark experts are monitoring the waters.

The men were not guests at the resort but all guests have been informed of the incident.

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Shark attacks have been in the headlines already this year following a string of bites and close encounters in NSW.

A dead shark was also found more than 20km inland on a suburban roundabout in Sydney earlier this week.

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